Former cop gets 40 years in drug trafficking case

An Indianapolis man who formerly worked as a police officer has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for using police credentials and firearms to protect illegal drug shipments.

John Smith, 56, was found guilty in June of conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, two counts of attempting to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, two counts of possessing firearms in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime and transferring firearms knowing that they would be used in a drug trafficking crime.

U.S. Attorney David Capp announced Smith’s sentence on Friday in Hammond.

Smith had previously served as an officer with three different Indiana police departments: Brooklyn, Knightstown and Stinesville.

The former officer was no longer involved in police work when caught participating in the illegal activities, authorities said in a statement, but Smith illegally used police credentials from his past employment when he carried out drug transactions.

Terry Carlyle, a former Brooklyn marshal and Indianapolis Police Department officer, was a co-conspirator with Smith, according to a release. Carlyle, who cooperated with the government, was sentenced in September to 10 years in prison.

“We will continue to investigate public corruption, including police corruption,” Capp said in a prepared statement, “and will vigorously prosecute and, upon conviction, seek substantial sentences for officers, current or former, who abuse the public trust.”

Federal authorities worked with local police agencies to investigate and arrest Smith, according to the release.